If you have just
installed LightWave 8 and checked out the almost
1600 page manual you quickly realize that this
program will take some time to really learn it
well. LightWave is packed with a lot of
stuff to learn. I can remember when I
installed LightWave on my computer for the first
time and I wished at that time that I had
something or someone who could walk me through the
basics to get me on my way. The manual is
helpful to be sure but it can also be a little
daunting if the basics of 3D are still new to
you. What I always wished for was a kindly
soul to sit down next to me and guide me through
things, give me little push, as it were and then
set me off on my own course. For those who
already own LightWave and have just upgraded to
version 8.0 then the same principles also apply,
you need someone who can show you where the new
tools are and what they do.
Well, if this is
you then this is the course for you. Dan,
the author, sounds like a good friend who had just
come over and is willing to patiently teach you
the basics of LightWave. He has a great easy
going, sometimes humorous approach to teaching and
it immediately puts the student at ease. Not
only are you going to learn but it's actually
going to be fun too!
The
first few (20) videos deal with a walkthrough of both
Modeller and Layout (the two parts of LightWave)
and then progresses with instruction on basic
modelling, lighting and surfacing
techniques. Most of the basic panels and a
few tools are
discussed. Dan walks you through each interface in
a logical manner and points out the tools and
areas that every beginner needs to know about.
The next section
of (16) videos deals
with creating a Chandelier. The chandelier
videos expand on the initiation to LightWave by
having you use a variety of tools to create
different aspects of the light fixture including
modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering.
Dan's approach is very similar to his books (he is
the author of Inside
LightWave 8 and many others) in that he shows
you the basics of the tool(s) and shows you a few
ways in which the tool(s) can be used while giving
you suggestions about future uses of that
tool. He then lets you progress on your own,
use your own imagination and creativity to really
understand what he is teaching. In the case
of the Chandelier you will start from scratch and
end with a finished render of the
chandelier. A lot of ground is covered in
these videos so it would be wise for a beginner to
start playing around with the techniques learned
here.
Lighting is
discussed further with the creation of a
"Disco Ball" and then Volumetrics (foggy
lighting effects) are introduced. The
student gets a feel for what is possible with
lighting in LightWave.
Following the
lighting tutorials are a variety of videos that
get into basic bone/rigging fundamentals covering
areas such as basic bone creation using both
skelegons in Modeller and Bone drawing in Layout,
setting up parent/child hierarchies, weighting of
a model for use with bones and IK (Inverse
Kinematic) fundamentals as well. There is
also a couple of videos that explores modelling of
a character. If you have no idea what all
this means (if you are new to LightWave don't
worry there's a lot to cover) then these videos
will get you on your way. Further into the
course (near the end) there is a lot more coverage
on bones and rigging as you get to actually rig a
character. IKBoost is also introduced for
manipulating the rig. Using dynamics with
bones are also covered later in the course but in
this case it is to rig a tree to move in the wind.
For a change of
pace Dan then gets into logo creation (4
videos). Here you learn to use fonts in
Modeller and model a logo, surface and texture it,
add interest to the backdrop, use three point
lighting and even use dynamics to create an
interesting logo treatment. There is a lot
for the beginner here.
Creating
atmospheres, rain and smoke are the focus of the
next 6 videos. Skytracer and other
techniques are used to created skies and
atmospheric backdrops. Hypervoxels and
Particles are used to create rain falling on a car
and smoke effects. To put a landscape into the
scene Dan discusses displacements.
Following all of
that are a variety of videos that begin to explore
LightWave's extensive dynamics system
including hard dynamics (using a falling cup),
cloth dynamics (using a cloth, of course) soft
dynamics (again using the cup but making it a
"jello cup") and hardlink (waving about
a length of metal chain).
There is also a
series of videos that explore creating a glass
surface/texture.
These videos do not
get too in-depth into any facet of LightWave,
rather they are intended to get you up and
running, get you started with a broad knowledge of
most of the tools in LightWave. Each one of
the topics discussed in these videos could easily
be a full set of in-depth tutorials that could
span many many DVD's. The intention of the
Signature Courseware is to give you enough of an
introduction into the world of LightWave that you
will begin exploring yourself with enough
knowledge about the program, the interface, and
the toolset that you be confident in forging
ahead.
I found this set of
videos to be excellent and covers a lot of
ground. The videos are crisp and clean, the
sound syncs up very well and is generally very
clear. Dan is relaxed and humorous without
it being distracting and you actually learn some
things along the way. If you want to get a feel
for what the video training is like hop on over to
3D Garage
and check out some of the sample videos they have
up on the web site. The only thing I think
that might be a negative about the course is it's
price. $289.00 is a lot of money. I
asked Dan about this and he responded "We've
heard from many people that the price is very
affordable given the amount of information on the
discs, as well as the presentation of them.
I've yet to hear from anyone that they thought the
course was too expensive. Most wish they had
it earlier."
Dan does offer
personal support either from direct email or from
the forums for the series over at the LightWave
Group. I can tell you from
experience that he responds very quickly and is
very willing to help and resolve issues that you
may have. Dan is very approachable, very
knowledgeable and is a great supporter of the
LightWave community. Dan's personal support
is certainly worth a lot so this helps make the
course a good value for the money you are paying.
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